Ontario Calls Two Guelph Profs to Bee Protection Group

Jul 11, 2013

Ontario Calls Two Guelph Profs to Bee Protection Group

By Amanda Brodhagen, Farms.com

A new provincial group has been created by Ontario’s Ministry of Agriculture and Food (OMAF) to protect honeybees – which has named two University of Guelph professors as members of the committee.

Head of Guelph’s Honey Bee Research Centre – Ernesto Guzman has been named along with Peter Kavan, an environmental science professor who specializes in pollinator conservation. The group is comprised of various industry stakeholders including – beekeepers, farmers, agri-business representatives, scientist and government members.

The group has been tasked with providing recommendations by spring 2014 and outline ways to mitigate bees from exposure to neonicotinoid pesticides. Ontario Premier and Minister of Agriculture and Food Kathleen Wynne, calls the creation of this group a step forward when it comes to protecting the environment and agriculture sector.

Ontario has about 3,000 registered beekeepers and 100,000 bee colonies. The honeybee industry is worth $24 million a year.

Video: Season 6, Episode 10: Defining Resiliency and the Research Driving Swine Health Forward

Genetic research and new technologies continue to influence the future of swine health and production efficiency. In this episode, we explore how research and technology are being used to support stronger, more resilient pigs, while also improving overall production outcomes. In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Jenelle Dunkelberger, geneticist with Topigs Norsvin, to discuss both routine and emerging strategies for improving piglet, pig, and sow livability. She outlines two primary approaches to enhancing resiliency: gene editing and traditional selective breeding. Continuing the resiliency conversation, we also hear from Dr. Lucina Galina, director of technical research projects at the Pig Improvement Company. She shares insights into ongoing gene-editing work focused on PRRS, detailing the pathway to success, regulatory and practical considerations, and the questions that still remain as the technology evolves. Together, these conversations provide a closer look at how research, genetics and innovation are shaping the future of swine health and livability.